Tributes to fourth generation head of Hull family firm John Rix

Tributes have been paid to John Rix, who helped diversify one of Hull's most successful family-owned companies.

Mr Rix, who was 82, passed away earlier this week after a short illness.

At the time of his death he was still chairman of J R Rix and Sons Limited, although he had handed over the day-to-day running of the firm to his son, Tim.

In a statement, the family said: "The original business was founded in the 1870s by Robert Rix and John was the fourth generation of his family to join the company, which he did at the age of 16 due to his father’s ill health.

A Rix Petroleum tanker

"The business grew significantly under his stewardship and today employs over 600 people.

"While the company was originally a dry cargo shipping business, it diversified considerably under John Rix’s management and today is involved in wind farm workboats, coastal and estuarial tank barges, stevedoring and warehousing, inland and marine fuel distribution, lubricants, fuel cards, property, car sales and the manufacture of static caravans.